Clint Hurdle

During the long days and longer nights in the hospital, when he closed his eyes, Jeff Banister saw diamonds and baseballs. This June afternoon at Dodger Stadium, with the sun shining over the San Gabriels and the mitts popping, is one of those days he had fantasized about during two long hospital stays in his youth. Now, though, it is all real. For the moment, Banister is indoors, in the visiting manager's office at Dodger Stadium. He hates being inside, but a few hours here is a small price for what he has become, the first-year manager of the surprisingly relevant, refreshingly fun Texas Rangers, 6 1/2 games out of the American League West lead entering the weekend. As his...

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